5 Best Beaches In or Near Edinburgh
July 10, 2024
Are you deciding to holiday in Edinburgh this year? Do you have a luxurious room at The Witchery or at Prestonfield House and want a beach day to go with it? Thankfully, there are plenty of beaches in or near Edinburgh for holidaymakers to visit this year and plenty more to do when you get there.
Without further ado, here are beaches near Edinburgh that should be on your to-do list!
Portobello Beach
Protobello is the traditional Scottish seaside town that everyone thinks of when they think about beaches near Edinburgh. Located to the East of Edinburgh city centre, this magnificent beach is the place to be on a Sunny day in Edinburgh. Being so close makes it ideal to reach via Taxi or car, being a mere 4.5 miles from The Witchery (which is around a 25 minute drive through the city).
Stroll through the golden sands and take a dip! The beach is perfect for sunbathing, relaxing, and soaking in the rays in style. For those unfamiliar with Portobello Beach, the extensive and diverse range of cafes, shops, bars and shops on the promenade make for a fantastic shopping selection when you’re there. Some stand-out options being:
- Nobles Amusements, an arcade with both retro and modern games.
- The Portobello Bookshop, for those who want an interesting read for the beach.
- The Beach House; a fantastic cafe and bistro on the beachfront
That isn’t even mentioning the multitude of water activities that are also available at the beach for the more adventurous spirits, such as:
- Sea kayaking
- Sailing
- Swimming
Stay at The Witchery your way and visit Portobello Beach with ease.
Silverknowes Beach
Silverknowes Beach is not as well known as Portobello Beach but is a great beach to visit for a quieter place to relax in the sun. The beach features both a mix of sand and pebbles, depending on what you prefer, and provides stunning views of the Firth of Forth including Cramond Island.
This beach is also great for those who prefer to stay a bit more active, as it has a variety of coastal walking routes you can follow for a lovely, romantic stroll with a loved one. For those wanting to foster their inner explorer, Cramond Island can be reached on the low tide by walking along the tidal causeway to the West of the beach. Just be sure to do your research into the tidal timings before setting off to explore!
Access to a tidal causeway just down the coast is also fantastic for those who love beachcombing for treasures that get washed ashore.
Nearby the beach are a few landmarks and places worth looking at, such as:
- Silverknowes Golf Course; for those who want a spot of Golf on their holiday.
- Lauriston Castle; ideal for the history buffs.
- The Cramond Island Fortifications; again, another great one for history buffs.
For those driving, there’s a conveniently placed car park to the East side of the beach.
Cramond Beach
To the West of Silverknowes Beach is Cramond Beach, where the Cramond tidal causeway can be found (and from this beach Cramond Island can of course be reached). Aside from Cramond Island, the beach itself is a fantastic place to relax and spend a day in the sun and on the soft sands.
The Cramond promenade is a fantastic place for those who want a good view across the Firth of Forth, while the beachfront itself has an abundance of cafes, bars, and shops for refreshments or a lovely lunchtime meal.
You can also find a boat club on the River Almond that flows into the causeway. The area surrounding the beach is full of different paths, places and walks that can be enjoyed such as:
- The River Almond Walkway (which will allow you to see the Cramond Falls).
- Eagle Rock (further along the coast to the West).
- Cramond Tower; a mediaeval tower worth visiting for all the history and culture buffs.
- The Littlegatehouse Gallery; for all the art lovers.
Agai, for those driving to the beach, there’s parking available to the South of the main beachfront.
Seacliff Beach
For those willing to travel a bit further afield, the lovely Seacliff Beach awaits. This gorgeously scenic beach isn’t as popular a spot as the other beaches listed here and sits East along the coast from North Berwick. From its soft sands you’ll be able to have a fantastic view of Bass Rock and Tantallon Castle and relax on a quieter, qatar beach compared to all the tourist hotspots.
As Seacliff Beach is a bit further off the beaten path compared to the other beaches, there isn’t much in the way of food places nearby. However, what it lacks in food and drinks establishments, it makes up for in interesting places to see and things to do, such as:
- Auldhame Castle; these ruins are a great place to explore for those who love history.
- Tantillon Castle; two castles for the price of one! This is another ruin worth seeing for history lovers, and much bigger than Auldhame Castle.
- A nice walk along the Seacliff Harbour.
Thankfully, this beach also has an easily accessible car park.
Milsey Bay Beach
The last beach we want to recommend to you for a visit to Edinburgh’s beaches is the Milsey Bay Beach in North Berwick. This beach has both the golden sands all beach lovers will enjoy to the rocky crags that are favoured by beachcombers. The beachfront will also provide you with beautiful panoramic views across Milsey Bay and the Firth of Forth beyond.
Aside from its natural beauty and great views, the beach also has a promenade with:
- The Scottish Seabird centre; for those into wildlife and birdwatching
- The Coastal Communities Museum; for the people that love to learn about culture and history
- The Rocketeer Restaurant; to grab a bite to eat by the beach
Explore Edinburgh’s Beaches With The Witchery
The only thing better than exploring Edinburgh’s various beaches is having a luxurious suite to come home to at the end of the day.
Choose from one of our various suites at The Witchery to stay in Edinburgh in style. Enjoy delicious, fresh food in our restaurant and use us as your base of operations for all your seaside exploring antics.
